Deborah Sterling, of Holne Cross, Ashburton, chairman, Ashburton Rollers, writes:

I am writing on behalf of the skate park group Ashburton Rollers to thank our many supporters for their contributions over the last year, whether financial, practical, publicity, advice, or all important moral support for the project.

This time last year we were celebrating our success in receiving an award of £50,000 from Sport England towards the new skatepark (as reported in the Mid-Devon Advertiser).

Further fundraising achievements followed, along with securing planning permission for the skate park at the recreation ground (Prigg Meadow) in Ashburton. By April we thought we were home and dry!

Unfortunately, a final obstacle appeared, in the form of a forgotten but 'live' private drain under the site from nearby houses.

Teignbridge Council is still in discussion with the affected householders about moving the drain (at the Rollers' expense, largely), before we can proceed with building the skate park, for which tenders are due this week.

We and the council are hoping that the legal process can be completed very soon as we run the risk of jeopardising the £50,000 grant if we aren't able to complete the skatepark by June 2014!

The delay has already cost us one grant worth £18,000; if we were to lose the Sport England funding we would really be back to the drawing board...

So our sincere thanks to all who have given their time, money, ideas, and other support to the project over the last year, including Ashburton town councillors, Teignbridge councillors and staff, and let's hope that 2014 brings the new skate park the young people of Ashburton have been waiting and working for for so long.MORE LETTERS ONLINE